Gunsmoke: "Twelfth Night" (Original Air Date: 12-28-1957)

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Summary by: Podcast Summarizer

Episode Overview

This digitally restored classic radio episode of Gunsmoke, titled "Twelfth Night," centers on Marshal Matt Dillon attempting to prevent an age-old Ozark family feud from spilling blood in Dodge City. Set during the Christmas season, the episode explores themes of tradition, stubbornness, and the search for peace, with a surprising and heartwarming twist that brings enemies together on the eve of their own rural holiday—Twelfth Night.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Feud Comes to Dodge City

• Introduction of the Feud:

  • Eben Hakes, a tall, wiry mountain man from the Ozarks, arrives in Dodge City with one goal: to find (and presumably kill) his family's old rival, Joth Monger.
  • There’s deep history here; both men are the last of their respective families, the feud dating back generations.

• Cultural Clashes:

  • Hakes is depicted as out of place in Dodge, carrying a long rifle and a coonskin hat, which draws the attention of Marshal Dillon, Doc, Chester, and Kitty.
  • The lawmen quickly identify the danger: “You come a long way to see your friends, haven't you Hakes?” (Matt Dillon, 07:48)

• Notable Quote:

  • Eben Hakes, primed for violence, explains his rigid code:

    "I won't kill no man of a Sunday. Never have and I never will."
    (Eben Hakes, 08:18)

2. Attempts at Mediation

• Visiting the Mongers:

  • Dillon and Chester visit the Monger farm. Ms. Monger is weary, fiercely independent, and suspicious of outsiders.
  • She reveals the two men are the sole survivors of their feud:

    “Both families have been twiddled down to just them two.”
    (Ms. Monger, 12:16)

• Marshal Dillon’s Warning:

  • Dillon tries to impress the legal consequences on Ms. Monger:

    “Look, Ms. Munger, the law doesn't hold with Feudin'. Whichever one kills the other, he'll hang for it.”
    (Matt Dillon, 13:13)

  • Despite his warnings, both sides are fatalistic about their traditions.

3. The Confrontation (Dodge City, Saturday Night)

• At the Saloon:

  • Marshal Dillon and Chester learn from Kitty that Joth Monger comes to town every Saturday night to drink alone.
  • As predicted, Eben confronts Joth at closing time—rifle drawn, ready to end the feud.
  • Tension peaks as Eben, rifle raised, faces Joth. Dillon stands between them:

    “You're standing in the way, peace officer.”
    (Eben Hakes, 17:49)

• Twist of Fate—Timing as Salvation:

  • As tempers flare, Marshal Dillon calmly observes:

    “It's after midnight, Hakes.”
    (Matt Dillon, 18:08)

  • Eben realizes it’s now Sunday—his code forbids violence on the Sabbath. The moment passes, and, surprisingly, the two old enemies begin to talk and begrudgingly share a drink.

• Notable Moment:

  • Eben, regretfully:

    "It's a doggone shame it took me so long to find you today… But I got tired waiting for you to come back home."
    (Eben Hakes, 18:33)

4. Resolution and Reconciliation

• Unexpected Friendship:

  • Next morning, Matt Dillon and Chester search for the two men, worried about their renewed rivalry.
  • At the Monger place, they find Joth, Eben, and Ms. Monger sharing a meal—rifles at rest.

• Peace Explained:

  • The men reveal they've ended the feud after reminiscing about their shared history and ancestors—realizing, in a twist of fate, they are almost family.
  • Eben explains:

    “If my grandpa hadn't done that, then Jaws here would have been me.”
    (Eben Hakes, 25:51)

• Tradition—Twelfth Night in the Ozarks:

  • The group plans to celebrate Christmas Ozark-style: on January 6th, Twelfth Night.
  • Ms. Monger proudly invites the Marshal and Chester:

    "If you only knew, Marshal. It works just fine for us."
    (Ms. Monger, 26:47)

• Food and Hospitality:

  • Talk of traditional food (chitlins, pickles, cornbread, coffee) highlights rural customs and humor:

    “Well now woman, ain't there gonna be no chitlins?”
    (Eben Hakes, 27:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Feuds and Family:

  “This here feud started a long time ago… my grandpa stole Jaws's grandpa's girl... So Jaws’s grandpa declared a feud right then and there.”
  (Eben Hakes, 25:23)

• Reflection on Past and Peace:

  "Otherwise, my grandma would have married up with Jaw's grandpa and I'd a been Joss. So any way you look at it, we're kind of related."
  (Eben Hakes, 25:51)

• Matt Dillon on Law and Feuds:

  "The law doesn't hold with feudin'. Whichever one kills the other, he'll hang for it."
  (Matt Dillon, 13:13)

• Chester’s Rural Wisdom:

  “Them hill people all like that, Mr. Jones?”
  (Chester, 13:35)

• The Power of Custom:

  “Back in the Ozarks, we do our Christmas celebrating 12 days from when you do.”
  (Eben Hakes, 26:35)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Eben Hakes Arrives in Dodge: 07:00–08:22
• Backstory on the Feud and Family: 12:00–13:19
• Feud Confrontation & Sabbath Code: 17:03–18:10
• Morning After—Feud Resolved: 25:04–27:23
• Explaining Twelfth Night Celebration: 26:19–27:23

Tone & Style

The episode is rich with dry wit, understated rural humor, and the steady, sage authority of Marshal Matt Dillon. The language reflects the idioms and rhythms of the Ozarks, blending earnestness, stubborn custom, and unexpected warmth.

Conclusion

“Twelfth Night” stands out as a lighthearted Gunsmoke episode with a surprising, conciliatory ending that subverts Western tropes about violence and grudges. The story cleverly pivots on old customs—the Sabbath, rural feasting, and the unique timing of Christmas in the Ozarks—to turn would-be enemies into partners. The Marshal’s respect for tradition and humanity helps foster not just law and order, but real, lasting peace.

For those interested in Western drama, rural Americana, and the power of forgiveness, this episode is both engaging and heartwarming—a true holiday treat on the prairie.